Bronny cold in debut, but Redick praises growth

Bronny James continued his NBA preseason journey with the Los Angeles Lakers in a 103-81 loss to the Phoenix Suns, nearly a year after his debut in the same Palm Desert arena. Despite a shooting performance of 1-for-12 from the field, including one three-pointer and several misses, he scored eight points and emphasized that his shots were well-selected but affected by fatigue. His playing time increased to nearly 23 minutes as he focused on defensive efforts and adapting to the team's schemes.

Key players LeBron James and Luka Doncic were absent from the game due to injury recovery and cautious ramp-ups, respectively, following their offseason activities. This allowed depth players like Bronny and fellow 2024 draft pick Dalton Knecht, who also struggled offensively, to gain more experience. Bronny reflected on his growing comfort with the ball and defensive strategies, noting ongoing development in his game.

Coach JJ Redick praised Bronny's progress, highlighting increased confidence and skill improvements from his rookie season and G League experience, where he averaged 21.9 points and 5.5 assists. Redick noted the significance of Bronny's G League development in transitioning to NBA-level play, emphasizing his defensive potential and overall growth as a player beyond the initial novelty of his presence.

Other Lakers contributors included Austin Reaves, who led starters with 20 points, and newcomers like Deandre Ayton, who focused on defense with eight rebounds and two blocks despite limited scoring. The team's preseason schedule continues with an upcoming game against the Golden State Warriors, where LeBron James and Doncic are expected to remain sidelined.